Around the NFL: Who dey? Still the Bungals

I used that title only because it's a clever play on the Bengals most popular (albeit ridiculous) saying, but this team showed that they can hang with the top dogs in their loss against the Steelers. Even though I predict that they'll lose next week to the Ravens, they'll make it a game and maybe even pull a big win out. And the Steelers deserve credit for a good win, although I again feel they could have pulled away quickly and won this game going away. Nonetheless, the Steelers now lead in the AFC North and it may just be a three horse race down the stretch. I'll allow you to contemplate that as we go around the NFL.

STEELERS 24, Bengals 17

• The hurry up offense once again proved capable of making big things happen for the Steelers. Why? Because Ben Roethlisberger calls his own plays. Bruce Arians has done much better (or maybe has just been much less stubborn) this season, but there's no denying that Roethlisberger has a much better feel of the game than Arians does. Ben loves him and trusts him, so I can't understand why the Steelers don't trust Ben more.

• The defense wasn't perfect this week, but William Gay played spectacularly adding credence to the fact that he has become a solid starting cornerback option. He accounted for both Steelers interceptions and the one that he caught practically sealed the deal.

• The Steelers forced turnovers and won fairly easily. If they can find ways to force more, they'll be Super Bowl bound again.

• Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown have to be one of the best wide receiving tandems in the NFL, if not the best. When Emmanuel Sanders gets back, you can add him to the group with Hines Ward, Jerricho Cotchery, and Heath Miller and you may have the best group of pass catchers in the NFL as well.

• The Steelers are back on top of the AFC North and I believe that's where they'll finish this season thanks to help from the Seattle Seahawks this week.

Around the NFL

• The Oakland Raiders took control of the AFC West with a win over the always overrated San Diego Chargers. Meanwhile, Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos optioned their way into a tie for second place with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Right now, it's impossible to predict who will win this division, but it may be more likely than not that eight wins does the trick. It would have been crazy to think before the season that a team led by Tim Tebow, Carson Palmer, or Tyler Palko would have a legitimate shot at the playoffs this year...?

• The Houston Texans thrashed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and took over the top seed in the AFC. Now, Matt Leinart will have to take over for the injured Matt Schaub and that could be extremely devastating. They may still make the playoffs, but there is no way that they earn a first round bye with Leinart leading them. I've seem him play with Larry Fitzgerald and that didn't go so well, so I highly doubt that playing with Andre Johnson will make him any better.

• The Indianapolis Colts lost again in one of the few remaining games that people will give them a chance. This team should not be this bad, but I'm starting to think that they'll be our second 0-16 team in NFL history.

• The Buffalo Bills-Dallas Cowboys game is one of those that make you wonder which was the real story: The Bills fading this quickly or the Cowboys heating up at the right time. I won't begin to guess, but both need to keep winning to stay in contention through November.

• Well Rex Grossman got a chance to start for the Washington Redskins again, but it didn't change too much. I still think he's the right option, but it doesn't really matter anymore as they dwell in the cellar of the NFC East.

• Again I ask: John Skelton or Kevin Kolb for the Arizona Cardinals?

• The decision to go for it on 4th and 1 at their own 29 in overtime was ill-advised by Mike Smith and the Atlanta Falcons. I realize that they should have the ability to get that first down, but even if they do they're still on their own side of the field and far from guaranteed any points. It's actually more likely that they don't get into scoring position than it is that they do. The New Orleans Saints were stoppable, but not from the Falcons 29. That was a silly mistake. One that may cost the Falcons a shot at the playoffs.

• The Tennessee Titans blowing out the Carolina Panthers isn't exactly impressive, but it could be an extremely important win now that Matt Leinart is the quarterback in Houston. All of a sudden this team has more than a legitimate shot at making some noise.

• The Baltimore Ravens have won two Super Bowls this season and it won't matter if they can't keep their emotions in check. This team has two erroneous losses to teams that they are better than and that could be what keeps them from going deep in January. I really can't take this team seriously.

• The San Francisco 49ers are very for real. There lack of quarterback production has to ultimately do them in, but they can't be pushed aside as an afterthought after a tough win over the New York Giants.

• I think the Detroit Lions are starting to really show their true colors. They remain ahead of the Chicago Bears temporarily after their blowout loss this week, but I don't think it will stay that way.

• The New England Patriots aren't what they used to be and I find myself doubting if they will be again anytime soon. However, they remain the best team in the AFC East as evidenced by their fairly easy victory over the New York Jets.

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